Tag: Perussuomalaiset

YLE Kymeenlakso: Juho Eerola ei tue Pyysalon erottamista

Posted on by Migrant Tales

Comment: Is it a surprise that Perussuomalaiset (PS) MP Juho Eerola, who has far-right ties to associations like Suomen Sisu, does not want to fire his aide, Ulla Pyysalo, for belonging to a neo-Nazi organization? 

Eerola was quoted as saying on YLE Kymeenlakso that the whole Pyysalo affair has taken “comical proportions.”

The PS board will take up Pyysalo’s case on November 19. It will be interesting to see what the party will decide.

If Eerola’s aide isn’t banned from the PS, what kind of a message does it send to others? The obvious answer is that it is ok to belong to a neo-Nazi organization and be a PS member. 

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Kotkalaisen kansanedustajan Juho Eerolan lappeenrantalainen avustaja Ulla Pyysalo haki 2 vuotta sitten kansallissosialistisen Suomen vastarintaliike -järjestön jäsenyyttä. Juho Eerolan sanojen mukaan olisi mieletöntä erottaa Pyysalo puolueesta vain sen vuoksi, että hän on tullut järkiinsä ja jättänyt liittymättä natseihin.

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SVT: Arjen rasismi on lisääntynyt Suomessa

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Comment: Countries like Sweden, of which about 14% of the population are immigrants compared with Finland’s 3%, asks why anti-immigration and anti-cultural diversity groups are growing in popularity. 

Even if there is no empirical data to link the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party to the ever-worsening atmosphere, we could say that the PS’ victory on April 17 did not help matters for immigrants and minorities.

One of the saddest matters about racism and prejudice is that it does not spare anyone, not even children. Too many schools in the past in Finland with the silent collusion of the teachers have been responsible for allowing racism to take place at such places. 

A Multicultural Finn tells of her ordeal at school in Otavan Sanomat, a student publication: “Lieksa is a small town in the Pohjois-Karjala region and there didn’t live a lot of Russians when we moved there,” she said. “It was tough being in middle school because my classmates made fun and excluded me from the group. It was a hurtful and lonely place (to be).”

The Multicultural Finn says that even to this date as an adult people make fun of her Russian background at Lieksa. 

The student quoted in Otavan Sanomat went to middle school in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

Even though teachers today try to confront racism at school, some feel that they are fighting a losing battle. “Certain terms and insults cannot be used at (Finnish) school but they are openly used publicly by members of parliament (like PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen)…” said researcher Anne-Mari Souto. 

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Maahanmuuttoa ja monikulttuurisuutta vastustetaan Suomessa yhä avoimemmin. Helsingissä järjestetyssä seminaarissa todettiin, että asenneilmapiiri on koventunut ja maahanmuuttajat kokevat arjessaan suvaitsemattomuutta entistä enemmän. Vihapuheet kohdistuvat myös maahanmuuttajataustaisiin lapsiin ja nuoriin.

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Using Finnish “fatherland” patriotism to justify neo-Nazism

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By Enrique Tessieri

The Ulla Pyysalo case has turned some Perussuomalaiset (PS) party faces red. Her name came up on a membership list of a neo-Nazi organization Suomen Kansallinen Vastarinta (SKV) after hackers broke into the www.patriootti.com website over the weekend. 

When reading Pyysalo’s explanation on Uusi Suomi for being on the SKV membership list, it’s difficult to say what is more shocking: her membership in the neo-Nazi association or lame excuses.

Attempting to brush her SVL membership conveniently under the rug, Pyysalo asks on Uusi Suomi why she and PS MP Jussi Halla-aho are being punished but nothing ever happens to PS MP Teuvo Hakkarainen?

Her membership in SVL will be brought up at a PS board meeting on November 19, according to Nelonen TV.

Her boss, PS MP Juho Eerola’s explanation are just as ludicrous as his aide’s. He told the media that the case has no bearing since Pyysalo became a SVL member two years ago, when she was a Center Party member.

Eerola’s support for Pyysalo is understandable since he belongs to the far-right Suomen Sisu association. The MP from Kotka once wrote how he admired Benito Mussolini’s eonomic system because there was no unemployment.

Pyysalo is no stranger to the racist and homophobic world, when she published a “joke” in July on Facebook about Green MP Jani Toivola, who is black and gay.

Other politicians that have popped up on the SKV list are Tuomas Okkonen, a PS local politician from Oulu, and Nino Nevalainen, a Left Alliance (independent) councilman from the Häme region.

I am certain that sensible Finns are just as outraged as I am about how a far-right group within a right-wing populist party sits in our parliament.

There is nothing “patriotic” about racism and hating different minorities never mind glorifying Nazi Germany. Some 40 million people died in World War 2 due to Nazism.

It’ll be interesting to see how the PS handles the Pyysalo case. Will it slap her hand for being a member of SVL or show her the door?

The PS will never be a credible party as long as it houses extremists of the worst order.

People like Pyysalo have not only hijacked the term “patriotism” but have given it a bad name.

Hackers get far-right Kansallinen Vastarinta membership-request list

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Enrique Tessieri

The growing face of far-right Finland exposed itself Monday when some hackers succeeded at breaking into  www.patriootti.com’s  membership-request list. One of the red faces to appear was Tuomas Okkonen, a Perussuomalaiset (PS) party board vice president in Oulu.

Okkonen states on Facebook that he was “drunk” when he sought membership in the neo-Nazi association.

While the PS’ favorite excuses for their gaffes has been misinterpreted “satire” or “humor,”  Okkonen has taken such excuses to a new level: “I was drunk.”

Okkonen got caught lying: He said on his Facebook he sent his membership application a year ago when if fact it happened in summer.

UPDATE: Ulla Pyysalo, far-right PS MP Juho Eerola’s aide, was on the Suomen vastarintaliike (SVL) membership list as well, according to Ilta-Sanomat. Pyysalo apologized in July after making a racist and homophobic joke about Green MP Jani Toivola.

Eerola, who is vice president of the PS, how shown his far-right colors on a number of occasions. The Suomen Sisu association member has praised Benito Mussolini’s economic model because there was no unemployment.

This is what Okkonen wrote to the far-right association, SVL: “I am a city council member of the Perussuomalaiset party and I understand your ideology. You have my support!!!…After you hear what we (Perussuomalaiset?) have planned, (you’ll see that) we are both fighting for the same thing…I sent you my contact information. Please do not distribute it if you are fighting for the fatherland.”

Even though SKV is seen by some as a marginal extremist group, far-right extremism should never be underestimated.

Ossi Mäntylahti writes an interesting blog about the list that hackers got from www.patriootti.com. He reveals (in Finnish) the messages that these would-be members sent to SVL.

SKV is like many neo-Nazi ogranizations in Europe, who live in a delusional world about racial purity that date back to Germany and Europe of the 1930s.

If Finland is serious about stamping out racism…

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By Enrique Tessieri

If our society is a model of social justice for other countries to emulate, why would we tolerate discrimination and all types of racism? Which group are the biggest threat to our society: immigrants or anti-immigration groups?

Contrary to the far-right wing of the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party led by Jussi Halla-aho and his cronies, which claim that “multiculturalism” (a policy that permits Muslims and Africans from moving to this country) is one of the greatest threats to our society, I would claim that these types of groups pose the greatest threat to Finland.

Despite the spectacular rise of those that want to keep this country “white,” there are encouraging signs that we will not tolerate a society of hostile “us” against “enemy them.”

Even so, there are still out there too many groups, like the PS and others, who aim to create a society where immigrants do not have the same civil rights as the Finns.

It’s exactly these groups, and how they want to change our society, that is scary and what we should adamantly oppose.

Their picture of Finland is the following: Immigrants and minorities would be constantly under suspicion. Using the argument of “free speech,” these groups could say anything they wish and continue spreading outrageous urban myths. These myths would reinforce racism, prejudice and suspicion.

One will find these questionable views of Finnish society in the PS’ Nuiva manifesto.

The message coming from us should be clear: Finland is an open society for those who come here in good faith.  It is a successful and forward-looking society with a strong sense of social justice. These values are important if we want to stamp out racism, one of the biggest threats to Finland today.

Who we are as a nation must be always based on mutual acceptance, respect and equal opportunities for all.

PS will not take any disciplinary action against MP Teuvo Hakkarainen

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By Enrique Tessieri

What kind of a message does the right-wing populist Perussuomalaiset (PS) party send to their supporters and Finland when they decide that it’s OK to turn a blind eye to one of their many controversial MPs, Teuvo Hakkarainen, who publicly insults homosexuals, lesbians and Somalis? Hakkarainen was quoted as saying on tabloid Ilta-Sanomat that these types of minorities should be relocated to the Åland Islands.

Is this what Timo Soini recently meant by the “PS not hating anyone?” OK, maybe the PS doesn’t “hate” but it sure has a lot of serious issues.

Even though PS MP Hakkarainen meant his Åland Island comment to be a “joke,” it shows that his sense of humor and that of the PS’ is out of line with the majority of the country.  I am certain that most children in Finnish elementary school could tell us that it’s wrong to insult people because of their background.

I see Hakkarainen’s comment and the PS’ inaction as a direct slap in the face of Finland’s good name. For some it may even bring eerie memories of how “undesirable” people, like the Jews and Romany minorities of Nazi Germany, were packed and sent in box cars to concentration camps.

If Finnish voters seriously believe that a party like the PS still has the credibility and vision to change Finland, they should think twice and hard. One only has to look at the already-long list of  racist and anti-democratic “jokes” made by a number of PS MPs.

What kind of a Finland does the PS wish for our children and grandchildren? The answer is simple: A highly polarized nation where politicians cultivate a culture of hatred.

On a more light-hearted note, YLE reported that Swedish People’s Party MP Elisabeth Nauclér has sent an invitation to Hakkarainen to visit the Åland Islands, her home province.

“Åland is home to 92 nationalities,” Nauclér was quoted as saying on Tuesday’s Iltalehti,  “even Hakkarainen is welcome.”

Green Party presidential hopeful, Pekka Haavisto, who is gay, commented on Hakkarainen’s gaffes on Wednesday’s Iltalehti.

Separating urban myths from facts in the Finnish immigration debate

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By Enrique Tessieri

To confirm whether anti-immigrant politicians are spreading urban myths or not, I recommend taking a look at the 2010 Finnish Immigration Service (FIS) annual report. What you may find may startle, even anger you.

I’m not speaking specifically of Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MPs like Teuvo Hakkarainen, who are walking political time bombs packed with ignorance. The source of your irritation may be more credible politicians who should know better but are spreading and enforcing urban myths about immigrants in their opportunistic bid to gain votes.

There is nothing “patriotic” about spreading urban myths about immigrants because great harm is done to Finland economically, socially and politically.

If you look at last year’s FIS report, we will see some startling facts that blow the cover off the urban myths that are fed like “facts” to the public by some politicians. Here it is (and it does not harm to repeat this fact over again): The main reason why foreigners moved to Finland in 2010 was for family reasons (31%), study (25%) and work (17%). Asylum seekers accounted for  only 10%.

While these figures attempt to give a clean-cut division of the reasons for coming to Finland, the issue is a bit more complex. Just because a person come to Finland due to family reasons, he can end up employed like the ones that came for work.

What does a mere 17% (3,030 people) of foreigners who got work permits last year on the grounds of employment and self-employment tell us?

For one, it reveals that too few skilled people move on their own will to Finland for work. It tells us as well another disturbing fact: We are far behind other countries in attracting skilled labor as our ever-growing army of pensioners swells this decade and the next.

While some politicians warned us in 2006 that the entire Estonian workforce, or half a million people, was ready to invade Finland, the truth is that we are no magnet for skilled labor.

Why would a skilled immigrant move with his or her family to Finland if there are easier and friendlier countries in Europe? Why would they move to a country where a right-wing populist anti-immigration party, the PS, gained 19.1% of the votes in April from 4.05% in 2007?

Why would a foreign company invest in this country and create more jobs?

While the recession may be an important factor why there were 25.2% less permits given to foreigners compared with 2009 for work and self-employment, other factors like the weather, high taxation, language certainly play a role.

What to do?

Send each politician an electronic copy of the FIS annual report and ask them why they distort the facts in order to hide the real issues, which is dealing with our ever-growing demographic challenges.

Note: There are other urban myths that I could have brought up. These can be discussed as well.

Ilta-Sanomat: Homot ja somalit Ahvenanmaalle asumaan

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Comment: Perussuomalaiset (PS) party MP Teuvo Hakkarainen has come up with another one of his ideas on how to improve ethnic and minority relations in Finland. He was now quoted as saying in tabloid Ilta-Sanomat that homosexuals, lesbians and Somalians should be relocated to the Åland Islands.

Hakkarainen is a good example of what goes on inside the heads of some PS MPs. Imagine if people like him, never mind the PS as a party, would get a chance to rule Finland. This country would be a very sad and dangerous place to live for some people.

It should be clear that the only reason why PS MP Hakkarainen continues to make these types of racist statements is because he has the silent approval of the party.

Hakkarainen tells us as well the PS is a ticking time bomb that will polarize our society in to two camps: us (PS and like-minded conservatives) and them.

They are a direct threat to our way of life and our values as a society.

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Kansanedustajan Teuvo Hakkaraisen (ps.) Ilta-Sanomille antamat lausunnot herättivät tuoreeltaan vilkasta kommentointia lauantaina muun muassa netin keskustelupalstoilla. Ilta-Sanomien mukaan Hakkarainen ehdotti, että homot, lesbot ja somalit pitäisi laittaa Ahvenanmaalle keskenään asumaan.

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HBL: Lipponen tar ställning mot svenskfientlighet och slutenhet

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Comment: Even if some may disagree with Social Democrat presidential hopeful Paavo Lipponen, you have to give him credit for his stand against the far right wing of the Perussuomalaset (PS) party. It’s too bad that there are too few politicians in Finland that have the courage to follow Lipponen’s example. 

In the HBL story below, Lipponen does not directly blame the PS but the far-right faction of the party led by PS MP Jussi Halla-aho.

“A part (of the PS) wants to attack immigrants and the Swedish-speaking Finns,” he was quoted as saying. “I am of the opinion that the grand majority of Finns disagree with these extremists. We must actively challenge the far right (in Finland).”

Recently, two xenophobic associations, Suomen Sisu and Suomalaisuuden liitto, have challenged the role of Swedish-speaking Finns in the country. Many of the members of these associations are card-carrying PS members. Suomalaisuuden liitto chairman Sampo Terho is a PS EuroMP. 
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Peter Buchert

– Jag stämplar inte Sannfinländarna som parti, men det finns högerextremister i partiet och Timo Soini måste vara tydlig mot dem, sade Lipponen på FSD-kongressen i går.

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Timo Soini: “The PS do not hate anybody – not anybody”

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By Enrique Tessieri

Can Perussuomalaiset (PS) party head Timo Soini claim that his party does not “hate” anyone? I wonder if Soini, who made such a claim on Saturday when he was chosen near-unanimously to be the PS’ presidential candidate, ever heard of Freddy van Wonterghem, James Hirvisaari, Olli Immonen, Teuvo Harkkarainen, Juho Eerola, Reijo Tossavainen never mind Jussi Halla-aho and others?

If we look at Soini’s political balancing actbetween the extremists of his party and those that like populism, it’s clear that the PS head is playing good-cop-bad-cop with the public. Soini may want to portray himself to the public as the “good cop” but one fact remains: he is a cop, or the head of the PS.

Does the right-wing populist party hate anyone? Does Soini conveniently forget what he has said?

PS city councilman  van Wonterghem wrote in June that it is a good matter when a Muslim girl is killed because there is one less to give birth to a new Muslim. Hirvisaari shed crocodile tears shortly after the mass killings in Norway but blamed poor immigration policy probably fueled killers like Anders Breivik to commit mass murder.

Even though the PS’ election victory on April 17 was historic, we cannot prove conclusively that it has fueled more racism in Finland. However, I don’t believe it has helped to undermine it either.

Soini claimed on Saturday that it was “ludicrous” to suggest that the PS was an extremist party since it has over 20% support. I wonder if the PS head has read history. There are many extremist parties that have gained power with over 20% support.

The PS’ greatest enemy are not as the party claims “the media and elitist political establishment” but itself. It’s own example and double-talk will cause it the greatest political damage.

Imagine what would happen to Finland if Soini were prime minister? Imagine what kind of society we’d turn into if the PS had its way?

Finland would turn into a shooting gallery with Soini’s cronies taking political potshots at immigrants, minorities and anyone else who doesn’t fit in their narrow-minded view of society.

As the shooting and laughs go on, Soini will assure us with a poker face and in colorful rhetoric that “the PS do not hate anybody – not anybody.”